Maintaining Tire Pressures - Tesla S 2014 Owner's Manual

Maintenance

Maintaining Tire Pressures

Keep tires inflated to the pressures shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label, even if
it differs from the pressure printed on the tire
itself. The Tire and Loading Information label
is located on the center door post and are
visible when the driver's door is open.
The Tire Pressure indicator light on
the instrument panel alerts you if
one or more tires is under- or over-
inflated.
The Tire Pressure indicator light does not
immediately turn off when you adjust tire
pressure. After inflating the tire to the
recommended pressure, you must drive over
25 mph (40 km/h) for more than 10 minutes
to activate the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), which turns off the Tire
Pressure indicator light.
If the indicator light flashes for one minute
whenever you power on Model S, a fault with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is
detected (see TPMS Malfunction
98).
94
Checking and Adjusting Tire Pressures
Follow these steps when tires are cold and
Model S has been stationary for over three
hours:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
on page
Remove the valve cap.
Firmly press an accurate tire pressure
gauge onto the valve to measure
pressure.
If required, add air to reach the
recommended pressure.
Re-check pressure by removing and re-
attaching the tire gauge.
If you added too much air, release air by
pressing the metal stem in the center of
the valve.
Recheck the pressure with the tire gauge
and adjust if necessary.
Replace the valve cap to prevent dirt from
entering. Periodically check the valve for
damage and leaks.
Warning: Under-inflation is the most
common cause of tire failures and can
cause a tire to overheat, resulting in
severe tire cracking, tread separation, or
blowout, which causes unexpected loss of
vehicle control and increased risk of
injury. Under-inflation also reduces
Battery range and tire tread life.
Warning: Check tire pressures using an
accurate pressure gauge when tires are
cold. It takes only one mile of driving to
warm up the tires sufficiently to affect
tire pressures. Parking the vehicle in
direct sunlight or in hot weather can also
affect tire pressures. If you must check
warm tires, expect increased pressures.
Do not let air out of warm tires in an
attempt to match recommended cold tire
pressures. A hot tire at or below the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure
is dangerously under-inflated.
Warning: Do not use any tire sealant
other than the type provided in a Tesla
tire repair kit. Other types can cause tire
pressure sensors to malfunction. If your
Model S did not include a tire repair kit,
you can purchase one from Tesla Motors.
Model S Owner's Manual